What the Airbag Light On a Jeep Wrangler Means

If your Jeep Wrangler’s airbag light turns on, it means there’s an issue with your airbag system and you’ll need to get your SUV checked out ASAP.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Christelle Agustin
Your Jeep Wrangler’s airbag light warns you when your vehicle’s supplemental restraint system (a.k.a. your airbags) is malfunctioning. So, the moment you notice this light turn on, take your Jeep to a mechanic ASAP!
It’s important to know how to deal with all of the warning lights on your Jeep, but if you’re not a
car repair
expert, don’t worry. We’ll go over what the airbag warning light means, what could cause it, and how to reset it if it starts flashing. 

What does the airbag light mean on a Jeep Wrangler?

The moment you start the engine, your Wrangler’s computer scans for faults in the airbag system along with other vehicle systems. If it detects a problem, the
airbag indicator
light on your instrument panel will turn on or begin to flash. 
The light typically looks like a passenger buckled in with the airbag represented as a round shape in front of them. The acronym “SRS,” which stands for “supplemental restraint system,” may also light up. The airbag light is sometimes called the “supplemental airbag light” for this reason. 
There’s no single cause for the Jeep Wrangler airbag light to turn on. Common reasons that this warning light stays on include: 
  • Faulty sensors: Crash sensors tell your airbag control module when to deploy the front and side airbags, and seat sensors tell the system when the driver’s seat and front passenger seat are occupied. If these sensors burn out or malfunction, the airbag light will turn on. 
  • Malfunctioning airbag module: If your airbag control module gets wet or damaged, it can short out, causing the system to fail and the airbag light to turn on.
    Find your car owner’s manual
    to find out where your airbag module is located. 
  • Wiring problems: The airbag system relies on wires to connect airbag sensors to the control module. When those wires fail, the Jeep Wrangler communicates the problem via a flashing SRS light. 
  • Drained airbag backup battery: If your Wrangler’s battery is failing, the airbag backup battery may be supplying power to the car. When this happens, the battery’s power can be depleted, causing the light to flash. 
  • Damaged airbag clock spring: The airbag clock spring, located in your Wrangler’s steering wheel, expands and retracts as you turn the steering wheel and maintains electrical continuity for the driver-side airbag. Like other springs in your car, it’s subject to wear and tear over time—and when it fails, your airbag light will flash. 
These aren’t the only reasons your airbag light could turn on. If you’re not sure why your light is flashing and you’re not able to reset it on your own, bring the car to the mechanic or Jeep dealership for diagnosis. Or, if you own an OBD-II scan tool, you can check for trouble codes (
car OBD codes
) associated with the airbag system.
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What you need to know about the 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler airbag recall

Unfortunately, your airbag light may be caused by a known issue with the Takata airbag used by Jeep. 
Affecting 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 model year Jeep Wranglers, the Takata airbag recall was a widespread and potentially life-threatening concern. Defective Takata airbags have been reported to explode when deployed after long periods of intense heat and humidity, causing injury or even death. 
Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to protect all passengers. First, check to see if your Jeep Wrangler is affected by the Takata airbag recall. You should be able to contact your Jeep dealership and ask them to look up your vehicle identification number (VIN) to confirm.
If your 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler was affected by the Takata airbag recall, rest assured appropriate corrections can be made. You can schedule a free Wrangler Takata airbag recall servicer Jeep dealership and technicians will install non-affected, brand new airbags.
MORE: The Takata airbag recall: Everything you need to know

How to reset the airbag warning light on a Jeep Wrangler

In some cases, all you need to do to resolve the problem with your Jeep Wrangler airbag light is reset the system. There are a couple of ways you can do this.
First, try turning the ignition switch on, waiting about 10 seconds, and then turning it off. If the light goes away after a quick ignition check, you can safely write this off as a one-time anomaly. In some vehicles, the airbag on or airbag off light is designed to stay on momentarily after you start the electrical.
If this doesn’t work, try driving for 5-10 minutes to see if the light turns off on its own. In some makes and models, an airbag light will go off if you drive around for a few minutes. 
If your Wrangler is older, it may have an airbag switch or button. With your vehicle on and running, try pressing this button or flipping the switch. If the airbag light shuts off, you likely just bumped the airbag button accidentally.
Finally, if you’re a gearhead, use your OBD II scanner to clear or fix the error. Plug your OBD II scanner into the diagnostic link connector (DLC) beneath your steering wheel. Run a scan and read the code on the screen to identify the underlying error.

Is it OK to drive with the Jeep Wrangler airbag light on? 

It won’t harm your Wrangler if you operate it when the airbag light is on—but remember that it can be unsafe to drive for long periods of time if your airbag system is malfunctioning. 
The airbag light always indicates a fault with the airbag system, which could mean that your airbags won’t deploy in the case of an accident, or if they do, they could deploy improperly, injuring or even killing you or your passengers. With the stakes so high, it’s best to bring the car to a mechanic as soon as you notice that the light’s on. 
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